Course Description:
Traditional regulatory monitoring is a tool used to ensure compliance. However, it does not necessarily inform the industry about future obligations. Moreover, it does not consider broader trends such as new scientific findings, consumer attitudes, or media reports. This session aims to present why research and media should be part of long-term regulatory monitoring and answer attendees' questions concerning what insights can be gained and whether early indicators and drivers of regulatory change can be captured. Using case studies, the session will demonstrate a closed loop between legislation, research, media, industry, consumers, and grassroots community action. Through case studies of microplastics, substances leaching into the environment, and landfill fires, the session will show that when media reports on academic research findings, there is a higher impact on regulatory authorities and the industry. The session will argue that monitoring legislation, media, and research, and understanding the intersections between these, can allow the industry to anticipate change and respond quickly by providing counterintelligence to help consumers make informed decisions.

Contact Hours:
0.5 Contact Hours

Presentation Date:
10/19/2022

Presenters:
Joanna Matthew